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Tailormade Galapagos On Shore TMEC5

Guide price

Tailormade Galapagos On Shore

A unique view of the Galapagos IslandsStaying in a collection of carefully-selected hotels on different Galapagos Islands, you'll enjoy exciting day trips to see the unique flora and fauna. Snorkel with sea lions, walk with blue-footed boobies and meet giant tortoises, before relaxing with a sunset cocktail at your hotel with a view.

Enriching tailormade journeys – for youThis bespoke journey features some of our favourite spots in the Galapagos. You can choose to take our destination experts’ recommendations and travel just as you see the itinerary here, or contact us to add your own special touches; maybe optional kayaking or surfing to complete your Galapagos adventure. We’re here to design your perfect holiday. Call us on 0844 875 1890.

Tailormade Galapagos On Shore - Comfort Version

1Depart UK and arrive in Guayaquil

Depart UK and arrive in Guayaquil later the same day. Depending on the arrival time of your flight you may wish to explore Ecuador’s largest city. Guayaquil is a bustling, lively city with a number of churches and museums you might like to visit. Alternatively you could wander through the old district of Las Penas, an area of cobbled streets, painted houses and cafes, where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Overnight: Wyndham Guayaquil
Included Meals: None

2Fly to the Galapagos

Today you fly to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz, your gateway to the wonders of nature at her most spectacular. The Galapagos are an isolated chain of volcanic islands supporting a distinct and unique flora and fauna, including prehistoric creatures found nowhere else on earth. On arrival on Santa Cruz you take a local bus to Puerto Ayora harbour, from here you will take the ferry west, crossing the open waters to nearby Isabela Island.

Overnight: La Casa de Marita
Included Meals: Breakfast

3Day trip to Los Tuneles

The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is formed from five volcanoes, of which two are still active. An idyllic paradise of white sand beaches and swaying palms, it is home to the second largest caldera on earth and the highest point in the archipelago. Today you embark on a full day trip to Los Tunelas, an area of unique rock formations both above and below the water, created by a series of lava flows. You’ll have the opportunity to walk through the incredible landscape and spend some time swimming and snorkelling with the sea turtles, manta rays, white tipped sharks and sea horses that can be found here.

Overnight: La Casa de Marita
Included Meals: Breakfast Lunch

4Wall of Tears

Between 1945 and 1959 Isabela Island was a penal colony where around 300 prisoners were forced to build a 25 metre high wall for no better reason than to keep the prisoners busy. Working in horrific conditions, many prisoners lost their lives and locals still claim to hear their cries from the surrounding area. The name Wall of Tears comes from the guards who use to say ‘Here, the strong will cry and the weak will die’. You will have a guided walk around the area before taking the boat to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Island is a main stopping point for most visitors to the Galapagos and is where the largest and most developed town can be found. There are many sights to be enjoyed and after settling in at your hotel you may have some free time to explore the area.

Overnight: Hotel Laguna
Included Meals: Breakfast

5Santa Fe, Plazas or North Seymour Islands

Today you have the choice of three excursions:Santa Fe was formed from an uplift (rather than a volcano) giving the island a relatively flat surface rather than the typical conical shape of the other islands. Along the island's northern shore you can view the forest of giant prickly pear cactus (Opuntia). A member of the cactus family their name comes from the pear shaped fruit the plant produces. Santa Fe is also home to a number of endemic species which have bounced back from various threats to their survival. You may get a chance to see the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, a variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. After the hike you can swim and snorkel in the beautiful bay area where you may find playful sealions in the turquoise waters.

Plazas Islands are two islands, although the larger Plaza Sur is the only one which can be visited. Here you will find many colourful green, yellow and orange land iguanas which feed off the island’s cacti. Plaza Sur home to a unique hybrid of iguana created by marine and land iguanas breeding. This is also a bird lover's paradise with the steep cliffs being home to swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, tropical red bill birds, frigatbirds and pelicans.

North Seymour is located north of Baltra Island and has a surface area of less than two square kilometres. This is a breeding ground for frigatbirds, blue-footed boobies plus swallow-tailed gulls and is a bird lovers paradise. The island is also home to marine iguanas, sea lions and occasionally fur seals, lava lizards and Galapagos snakes.

Overnight: Hotel Laguna
Included Meals: Breakfast Lunch

6Free morning, transfer to San Cristobal

This morning is free to explore at your leisure. Why not walk to Tortuga Bay where you have the opportunity to swim at one of the most spectacular beaches of the entire chain, and an important turtle nesting ground. Or you could visit the nearby Charles Darwin Research Station which has been responsible for conservation projects within the islands since 1959 (the centenary of the publication of Origin of the Species). Here you will visit the centre to learn more about the unique collection of animal and plant life that resides here, including the Galapagos tortoises, which may live up to two hundred years. This afternoon you'll take the ferry to San Cristobal Island, the eastern-most island in the Galapagos containing the capital of the province of Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Your afternoon is free, you may wish to visit the Interpretation Centre which showcases the geology, history and science of the Galapagos.

Overnight: Casa Playa Mann
Included Meals: Breakfast

7Isla Lobos or Kicker Rock

Today you will embark on a trip to either Lobos Island or Kicker Rock, depending on availability and park regulations at the time.Isla Lobos is a tiny, rocky outcrop where you can observe frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies and walk among the sea lion colony. Afterwards visit Canal Lobos a protected channel where you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling with sea lions, tropical fish, rays and sea turtles – an unforgettable and magical experience. Leon Dormido, or 'Kicker Rock', rises hundreds of feet above the ocean and resembles a sleeping lion. Your boat will circle the rock formation so you can observe the birds that use the rock as a nesting site. Kicker Rock quite striking and if conditions are right you may be able snorkel through the narrow channel which splits the rock in half. Kicker Rock is home to an incredibly diverse set of marine life in the nutrient-rich water, including sharks, turtles and rays. After these tours you will sail to Playa Ochoa or Manglecito beach, depending on tides and weather conditions, for lunch, relaxation and swimming opportunities.

Overnight: Casa Playa Mann
Included Meals: Breakfast Lunch

8Galapagos highlands, fly to the UK

An early start this morning takes you to El Junco Lagoon, a lake within a caldera of an extinct volcano. Located in the highlands of San Cristobal, El Junco has some fantastic views over the islands and is one of the best places to spot white-cheeked pintail ducks and the endangered Chatham mockingbird. Following El Junco Lagoon you head to Puerto Chino, past sea lions lazing on the beach and blue footed boobies on the rocks, to a beautiful white sandy beach. Your journey then continues to La Galapaguera, a tortoise breeding centre where visitors learn about the origin, evolution and habitat of the giant tortoise. You then transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil and on to the UK.